Doda Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Doda

Bhaderwah, popularly known as Chota Kashmir, is a beautiful town in the Doda District extending from Killa Mohalla to Gupt Ganga and from Qabristan to Gatha. Primarily a hilly town, Bhaderwah is located some 80 km from Batote. The place is known for its temples such as the Vasuki Nag Temple, Subar Nag Temple, Sheetla Mata Temple, and Gupt Ganga Temple.

The Thubu Nag Temple, Nagni Mata Temple, and Alalbani Temple are some of the other popular religious sites here. Many festivals, beginning from the month of April are also celebrated in this town. The place is also known for the Kailash Yatra, one of the most important pilgrimages for the Hindus Located amidst nature, Bhaderwah offers amazing landscape for sightseers to enjoy.

Tourists can also participate in eco-adventure activities in the meadows of Padri, Seoj, Jantron, and Rosaria. The valleys of Jai, Kelar, Blaisa, Chinta, and Chirala are ideal for trekking and camping.

Chapra Peak, at a height is 5600 m, is a popular destination for tourists in the district of Doda. Also, known as Bhazum Nala, the peak is reachable via trekking trails from Galahar, Chishot, Kishtwar, and Atholi.

Mela Patt, held at Khakhal, is one of the most popular fairs of Bhaderwah. The history of Khakhal place dates back to as early the 16th century during the rule of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar.

This fair is considered important among all the fairs organised in the Doda District and is believed to be of medieval in origin. The three day celebration is colourful and involves in traditional costumes and dances.

Gupt Ganga Temple, in Bhaderwah, is one of the most famous and historically important religious centres of the district. According to the Hindu mythology, the Mahabharata, the Pandavas, the acknowledged sons of King Pandu, lived here for some days during their period of exile.

Locals believe that a footprint belonging to Bhima, one of the Pandavas, can still be seen on one of the rocks present there.

Swaran Bawli, also known as the Golden Spring, is located at the foot of Aashapati Peak in the town of Bhaderwah. The spring holds religious importance, and Hindu devotees believe that a dip in its waters can wash away all sins.

During Navratri, a Hindu festival symbolising the triumph of good over evil, celebrated annually in October/November and a large number of pilgrims come here to take a dip in the spring despite it being covered by a thick layer of snow.

Legend has it that there once was a golden spring from which an old lady fetched water. One day, when she fell ill, her daughter-in-law went to the spring in her stead. The daughter-in-law was astonished to see the golden bricks of the spring, and covered it with her white ‘dupatta’ or head sheet. She later returned with her brothers only to see that the white ‘dupatta’ had turned into ice.

All their efforts to dig through the ice went in vain, and the golden bricks forever remained hidden. Since then, the spring was said to permanently remain covered in snow. In keeping with the legend, the ice around the spring stays frozen to this day, even during hot summers.

Shantan Dehra is an old temple dedicated to Shantan Nag, one of the brothers of Vasuki Nag, the second chief of one of the most ancient warrior tribes of India. Surrounded by deodar trees, this temple is located on a small hill. The temple enshrines a few ancient ‘shivlingams’, symbolic representation of the Hindu god of destruction, Shiva.

An old statue of the Hindu Sun-God, Surya, was recently discovered here. Shantan Nag is considered to be a powerful deity who not only blesses his devotees but also punishes them for their mistakes. A function is organised here annually during the period of Herai Jater, in July/August. Pujas or prayers are performed by a priest who makes predictions. Locals say that most of the predictions that have been made so far have come true.

Sheetla Mata Temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of epidemic diseases, Sheetla, is located on a small hill known as called Rehoshra. The temple enshrines an old statue of Goddess Sheetla and devotees visit here in large numbers to offer their prayers.

A big function is organised here on the 8th day of Navratra, a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. During this time people make sacrifices of lambs whose meat is distributed as ‘prashad’ or sacred food.

Subar Nag Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Subar Nag or Seshnag; a serpentine divinity in the Hindu religion, is located on the sprawling pastures of Subar Dhar. The temple doors are thrown open to devotees on the first day of the second month of the Hindu calendar, Baisakh, which falls in April, every year.

The temple enshrines an old idol of Subar Nag and devotees in large numbers come here to offer their prayers. An annual festival called the Jater of Chinta is also held here in the month of July.

Thubu Nag Temple is a popular temple located on a hill that divides Bhaderwah and the valley of Chinta, slightly above the Bhaderwah-Jai Road. The presiding deity of this temple is known for blessing devotees with male children. A large procession to this temple starting from Karai is held here every year in autumn.

Vasuki Nag Temple is one of the oldest temples located in Bhaderwah. The history of this temple dates back to the 11th century. The name Vasuki comes from a word in Sanskrit which means serpent. Vasuki, according to the Hindu mythology, is the King of 'nagas' or snakes and has a Nagmani or gem on his head.

The temple enshrines an ancient statue of Vasuki Nag, which has been carved out of a single stone. A special prayer is organised here annually just before the beginning of the Kailash Yatra, a holy pilgrimage of the Hindus.

Nagni Mata Temple is dedicated to a serpent goddess who is considered to be the sister of Thubu Nag. On the first day of the second Hindu month of Baisakh in April, devotees in large numbers make a procession to this temple. Langar or free kitchen, is organised here, and devotees are served with the meat of sacrificial lambs as prashad or sacred food.

Alalbani Temple is an ancient temple located on a hilltop in Bhaderwah. The temple is known for the ritualistic playing of copper musical instruments to please the presiding deity. Janamashtmi, a Hindu festival that marks the birth of Hindu God Krishna, is celebrated with fervour here.

The deity of this particular temple is believed to be extremely powerful. Locals claim that few years ago when someone tried to usurp a part of the temple land the person was punished by the deity such that no healthy child was ever born in his family.

Chinta Valley, situated 6500 ft above sea level is a picturesque valley in Bhaderwah bounded by thick coniferous forests. The valley is surrounded by several tourist spots including Thuba which is located across the Chinta Nallah.

Thuba is also the highest point that divides Bhaderwah and the valley of Chinta. An ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction, Shiva, is also located here. Tourists can indulge in horse riding through routes starting from Baggan to Thuba.

Subarnag Peak and Subarnag Tempe are some other tourist attractions in proximity to Chinta Valley.

Seoj Meadow, also known as the ‘diamond in the crown of Bhadarwah’, is located to the south of Kailash Kund. The meadow, also known as Seoj Dhar locally, is surrounded by magnificent snow-covered mountains on all sides.

The Seoj Stream flows down the valley into the Ramnagar region in the district of Udhampur. Pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Yatra, an important pilgrimage of the Hindus, camp at the Seoj Meadow before marching on.

Padri Gali, at an elevation of 10500 ft, is situated at a distance of about 40 km from the district of Bhaderwah. The place experiences heavy snowfall regularly making it a popular picnic spot. Pilgrims on the Mani-Mahesh Yatra that takes place every year in July pass through Padri Gali.

Apart from relaxing in the lap of nature, the visitors can also undertake horse riding here.